Thank you

And thank you, Simon, and everyone else, for reading, emailing, tweeting, caring, sharing. We will have live coverage of both US Open finals tomorrow. IN the meantime, here's Novak Djokovic vs David Ferrer - live!

9.29pm BST

Postgame

So, well played Andy Murray. He will now play in his fifth Grand Slam final. The previous four finals have ended badly, but he's looking more positive and with more self-belief. He may well have to play Novak Djokovic, who has been in awesome form this fortnight. My colleague Martin Pengelly will be bringing live coverage of the second semi-final very shortly....

9.25pm BST

Murray beats Berdych! 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6

Andy Murray is in the US Open final!

9.24pm BST

Fourth set: Tie break

Longish rally, Berdych is moved both ways, and then hits long. Murray wins!

9.23pm BST

Fourth set: Tie break

Berdych's first serve into the net. And then a rally, with Murray playing safely, until the Czech hits long. Match point again. On Murray's serve. Murray 8-7 Berdych

Fourth set: Tie break

Fourth set: Tie break

Still only one break in this, despite the points gap. Murray moves Berdych around and hits the winner into the corner. Murray 3-5 Berdych

9.16pm BST

Fourth set: Tie break

Berdych still serving. Wind getting up again and debris, drinks bottles, and sorts of stuff blowing across the court as the Czech tries to retain his composure. And then comes an Ace. Murray 2-5 Berdych

9.14pm BST

Fourth set: Tie break

Murray uses his backhand to force the mistake from the Czech. End change. Murray 2-4 Berdych

9.14pm BST

Fourth set: Tie break

Murray charges to the net, but his shot clips the top of the net and bounces away. Murray screams and then slaps the spare ball away. Murray 1-4 Berdych

9.13pm BST

Fourth set: Tie break

Finally Murray gets onto the tiebreak scoreboard: Murray 1-3 Berdych

9.12pm BST

Fourth set: Tie break

Berdych ace: Murray 0-3 Berdych

9.12pm BST

Fourth set: Tie break

Berdych serves, volleys, Murray 0-2 Berdych

9.11pm BST

Fourth set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 6-6 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Tie break: Murray serves first, but his second serve is too weak and Berdych sneaks the return into the corner. Murray 0-1 Berdych

9.10pm BST

Fourth set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 6-6 *Berdych (* denotes server)

The Czech serving to stay in the tournament. Berdych serves big, follows up to the net and hits the winner. 15-0. Berdych comes to the net again but his volley goes just long. 15-15. A big, wide serve is just in Murray's reach, but not where he can do much with it. 30-15. And the same again with the next serve on the other side of the court. 40-15. Berdych serves and volleys and, despite two great returns, reaches the volleys, but eventually there's sapce for the Murray winner. Just. 40-30. Ace. Berdych holds. Tie break coming. Blimey. This is it.

9.05pm BST

Fourth set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 6-5 Berdych (* denotes server)

Gone is the tentative tennis of Berdych, who is now going for his shots. He goes for the winner there, but it's long. 15-0. Murray stays at the baseline and moves Berdych around until the Czech makes the mistake and hits long. 30-0. Ace. Murray's fifth. 40-0. Murray comes to the net and Berdych can't pass. Murray holds. Berdych will have to serve to stay in the match again. But a tie-break is only a game away and that would be wide open. Crunch time.

9.02pm BST

Fourth set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 5-5 *Berdych (* denotes server)

The Number six seed serving to stay in the match. Berdych claims the first point decisively, but Murray retaliates with the second. 15-15. They prod and poke at each other and then Murray drives a precise winner into the tiny bit of corner that Berdych can't reach. 15-30. Berdych serves, volleys, and then smashes the lob return. 30-30. Big serve from Berdych - his second hardest of the match, 132mph - is too much. 40-30. And another, at 130mph, out wide is unreturnable. Berdych holds. Now the pressure is on Murray.

8.58pm BST

Alternative views about what might happen next:

Hasta Siempre (@988YSR)

@busfield This is dangerous territory for Murray. Berdych has gone for it after being out and a fifth would be huge mental blow for Murray.

I fear for Mr Murray if this goes to a fifth set. He was cruising a few games ago, but, he wasn't as clear as it might've seemed. The momentum has changed, perceptibly.

8.57pm BST

Fourth set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 5-4 Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray being forced to win points rather than just wait for Berdych to make mistakes. The Czech nets at the end of a baseline rally. 15-0. And then Berdych hits long. 30-0. The blue-shirted Czech drives deep and Murray nets. 30-15. Another baseline rally, both probing, asking more questions. Berdych hits long. 40-15. Murray wastefully hits wide. 40-30. Berdych goes long. Murray is now just a game from the final. But it's not quite as simple as that sounds.

8.53pm BST

Fourth set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 4-4 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Berdych is now a threat again. He's moving Murray around and going for his shots. That winner makes Murray think about bashing his racket. he stops himself, but he's being outmaneouvred at the moment. 15-0. Same again. 30-0. Murray hitting back, going for shots himself too now, stretching Berdych. 30-15. Murray goes for a big return on a body serve, but it goes long. 40-15. Berdych looking positive and defiant. A long return by Murray clips the line catching Berdych by surprise. 40-30. And then Berdych moves Murray around and holds.

8.47pm BST

bajedumro emails:

Beware Murray. It is the fourth set and the conqueror of Federer has woken out of his slumber.

Oh, yes, we have a game on our hands here. It seemed like Murray had it sewn up, but it wouldn't take much for this to go to a fifth, final, deciding set. And where would the momentum be there?

8.46pm BST

Fourth set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 4-3 Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray now playing harder than just trying to keep the ball in, moves Berdych around, and wins the point. 15-0. A kicking serve bounces too high for Berdych. 30-0. Another too-hard-to-return serve. 40-0. Berdych goes for the winner, swinging, and it's in. 40-15. Next return is long. Murray holds. He needed that.

8.43pm BST

Fourth set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 3-3 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Berdych comes to the net to claim the first point. 15-0. The Czech is now going for the big first serves too - and second too. Big second serve too hard for the return. 30-0. The wind is back. Big time. Some equipment blows away. And then a Berdych serve goes miles wide. But the Czech recovers to win on the second serve. 40-0. And Murray hits long. Berdych holds and is right back in this match.

8.39pm BST

David Wall writes:

I don't want to tempt fate with this match still live but what has been most impressive with Murray's performances here (and at the Olympics, especially in the semi- and final) is the ruthlessness he's shown when he gets in the ascendency. It reminds me of the young Leyton Hewitt, when he was No. 1 and winning Wimbledon. I think he was playing Henman in the semi-final and every chance he got he put away and didn't give Henman a sniff of getting back into the game. Rather than any technical skill, I thought that was what set Hewitt above the rest of the field at that time. Something he's picked up from the Terminat..., I mean, Lendl?

Not over yet, David...

8.38pm BST

Fourth set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 3-2 Berdych (* denotes server)

Berdych going for his shots and hits a nice inside-out forehand winner across the court. 0-15. And then Murray is moved around and hits long. 0-30. Big moment for the Czech. And for Murray. Berdych is having some success changing the pattern of the game and Murray's just-getting-the-ball-in tactic no longer enough. Berdych hits to the corner. 0-40. Little drop shot brings Berdych to the net, where he should be able to hit the winner down the line, but misses. 15-40. Another rally - with both players now ignoring the wind (or has it dropped a little?) - and Berdych just misses. 30-40. And then a deep shot clips the line for Berdych. Berdych breaks.

8.33pm BST

Fourth set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 3-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

...then Berdych gifts a point to Murray, wastefully hitting wide. But at least the Czech is trying to alter the pattern of the match. Adv Murray. Big serve returned into the net. Deuce. Ace. Adv Berdych. And then Murray chips into the net and eventually wins a game!

8.31pm BST

Fourth set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 3-0 *Berdych (* denotes server)

A strong return and another good start. 0-15. Berdych makes another unforced error. 0-30. Berdych comes to the net and Murray nets. 15-30. Wind still blowing up a gale. Berdych trying to throw in some bigger serves but it's not coming off for him. 15-40. Two break points. First serve is about three metres long. He comes to the net behind the second serve and gets a spot of luck as Murray's cross-court passing shot clips the net and bounces back. 30-40. Berdych swinging hard and driving Murray deeper and deeper until the Czech gets the winner. Deuce....

8.25pm BST

Narayana Rao writes:

What has Lendl taught Murray--both better strategy and the art of maintaining a poker face which is an asset at a session of the game of bridge ?

Interesting mix of games there, but I think we know what you mean.

8.24pm BST

Fourth set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 3-0 Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray concentrates on getting the first serve in and races to 30-0. Berdych's return looking disheartened. 40-0. But then Murray pulls into the net. 40-15. Murray hits the winner down the line. And in control.

8.22pm BST

Ian Copestake writes:

The thing about the wind is that there is no one the players can blame for it. Makes a change to see them just trying to cope with weather.

8.22pm BST

Fourth set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 2-0 *Berdych (* denotes server)

...Berdych charges forward and whips a shot down the line. In say the officials. Murray challenges. Successfully. Adv Murray. Berdych again comes to the net, puts the pressure on Murray, who tries to get the winner across the court, but it's just out. Deuce. Then Berdych drags his double-handed backhand at the net over the baseline. Adv Murray. Another break point saved as Berdych advances. Deuce. Another long Berdych shot. The call is Out. Adv Murray. And then Berdych snaps, wastefully hitting wide. Murray breaks.

8.17pm BST

Fourth set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 1-0 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Berdych averaged 14 aces per match before today. He has two today. The Czech needs to try something but quickly falls behind. 0-30. And then a deep shot eludes Murray, again caught in the wind. 15-30. Berdych goes for a winner down the line and misses. 15-40. Two break points. Aggressive serve and volley by Berdych forces Murray to net. 30-40. Berdych comes to the net again and claims the point. Deuce...

8.14pm BST

Apparently I don't have predictive powers, just super-typing-powers:

Steve Hamman (@stevehamman)

@busfield is well ahead when watching Eurosport Russia (in Devon at least).

Fourth set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 1-0 Berdych (* denotes server)

...Big moment for Berdych if he's going to get back into this game. Berdych trying to hit it harder and that leads to another error. Adv Murray. And then a deep serve and Murray holds.

8.12pm BST

Fourth set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 0-0 Berdych (* denotes server)

That long, eventual break has given Murray the right to open the serving in this fourth set. Quick exchange of points. 15-15. Berdych's double-handed backhand goes long. 30-15. And exactly the same again. 40-15. Berdych comes to the net and eventually gets the point with a big slam. 40-30. Murray hits long. Deuce...

8.09pm BST

Some other thoughts on the weather (and the tennis):

Jon Maries writes:

What a shame this has degenerated into such a farce, though Murray's ability to cope with it speaks volumes about his mental strenght these days. He looks a bit like a ferret in a wind tunnel.

Narayana Rao says:

Wind plus Murray are more effective in the third set than Berdych plus errors.

John Jones adds:

I've said it before and I'll say it again: "I love it when you're brutal, Andy".

8.07pm BST

Courtside

Kevin Mitchell writes:

Murray's match to lose at a set apiece and 4-1 up and serving in the third. Berdych, 6ft 6in, can't groove his serve at all. A nervous wreck every time he tosses the ball up. Murray, three inches shorter with nowhere near as high a ball-toss, getting 71 per cent of first serves in, which is phenomenal in this come-and-go gale. The Berd looking to his box now like, well, Murray used to a year ago.

Can't imagine the other two semi-finalists will fancy this job - ifthey can fit a match in. Rain about and those clouds are whizzing by.

8.06pm BST

Third set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

...another Murray winner as a Tornado warning is flashed across the bottom of the screen. Adv Murray. Set point number 5. And, finally, Berdych hits long. Break. Third set to Murray.

8.05pm BST

Third set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 5-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

...Deep return and Berdych somewhat mournfully nets. Adv Murray. Berdych comes to the net and Murray this time misses the shot. Deuce #2. Berdych misses long. Adv Murray. Third set point. Murray mostly just making sure he gets the ball into play. Waiting for the inevitable mistakes. Murray hits long. Deuce #3. Berdych serves deep and then comes forward and wrong-foots for the winner. Adv Berdych. Berdych nets. Deuce #4. I should add, by the way, that as well as being extremely windy, it's also 84 degrees F and humid too. Another Murray winner. Adv Murray. Deep serve and Murray nets the return. Deuce #5....

7.59pm BST

Third set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 5-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Two big serves take Berdych to 30-0. Murray counters. 30-15. And then Murray patiently just keeps knocking it back before drawing Berdych to the net and then hitting the winner down the line. 30-30. And then Berdych is driven wider and wider until he can no longer get the returns in. 30-40. Set point. Berdych puts in a big serve and then volleys the return to save. Deuce....

7.55pm BST

Third set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 5-1 Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray hits wide, but the ump over-rules and the point will be replayed. No challenge by Berdych either. More wind gusting debris across the court. Deep serve is returned long. 15-0. Berdych is drawn to the net and can't keep his volley down. 30-0. Murray twice goes to serve but the wind takes it away and he has to restart. When he eventually serves Berdych nets the return. 40-0. Nice cross-court winner and Murray holds to love again.

More about the weather

Third set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 4-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Berdych gets his fourth point of the set. 15-0. And another. 30-0. Double-fault. 30-15. Another rally, with both just concentrating on getting the ball in. 40-15. And a strong serve leads to a net return. Berdych gets on the third set board.

7.47pm BST

Third set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 4-0 Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray is looking on top of his game and has the momentum. And the luck, as that one hits the net, flies up and drops down giving Berdych no chance. 15-0. And then a miraculous drop shot by Murray, from high and deep, goes just over the net where the Czech can't get. 30-0. Murray does it again, Berdych gets to it this time, but it floats wide. 40-0. Good Murray serve and it's game. Berdych has just three points in this set.

7.44pm BST

A tweet:

Dave Meldrum (@vicardave)

either there's a big delay on tv from new york to cape town or @busfield is super-quick getting his MBM updates online.

Or, is now the time that I should admit to being able to see into the future? Gives me just that tiny advantage on live tennis blogs. Or not. Pity it's not true. Imagine the money you could make on in-game gambling with that sort of skill...

7.43pm BST

Third set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 3-0 *Berdych (* denotes server)

...Berdych again bamboozled. Adv Murray. A long rally and Berdych pulls it wide. Murray Breaks. Again.

7.41pm BST

Third set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 2-0 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Berdych comes to the net and volleys the winner. 15-0. Berduch focussing better. 30-0. And then the Czech succumbs to the wind. 30-15. Berdych is drawn to the net and beaten by a clever cross-court winner by Murray. 30-30. Berdych to the net to slam home the volley winner. 40-30. Berdych comes to the net and looks to have the point won, but great anticipation by Murray, who scampers to his left and hits an unexpected winner down the line. Deuce...

7.37pm BST

Third set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2, 2-0 Berdych (* denotes server)

Berdych starting to look frustrated, about the wind, about his shot selections, about the absence of his big serve. Murray races off with the better of the baseline exchanges. 30-0. Berdych goes long. 40-0. And Berdych is long again. Murray holds to love.

Er, Jim, Dr Who? A sport? Ha! But we know what you mean. Glad to have at least part of you with us.

Updated at 7.37pm BST

7.34pm BST

Third set: Murray 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Berdych nets. 0-15. And then Berdych balloons long. 0-30. Berdych's big serve has been negated by this wind. Long again from Berdych. 0-40. Berdych comes to the net and goes long. Break for Murray. Great start to the third set for the Scotsman.

7.30pm BST

Terry Collins emails:

I'm watching in Jakarta ... and it's going to be waaay past my bedtime by the time this finishes.

Great catch of the hat in set two as Andy "steps up." (Can't stand the non-stop analysis on ESPN.)

While Richard Wilson writes:

Not quite the same turnaround as the other night but Murray's been significantly better this set. Is he trying to win a slam the hard way by giving head-starts each match? Also, these conditions are verging on the ridiculous - get a roof!

7.27pm BST

Second set: *Murray 5-7, 6-2 Berdych (* denotes server)

A long rally, with Murray playing it safe in the wind and Berdych trying to force, ends with Berdych going long. 15-0. And then again. 30-0. There's a constant change of shade on the court as clouds blow by very fast, making it dark and bright constantly. Berdych comes to the net, retrieves, and then hits a running, down the line forehand winner. 30-15. More paper blowing around the court and holding up play. Berdych nets when a winner looked on the cards. 40-15. Two set points. Deep return from Berdych, playing with more power, too strong for Murray. 40-30. Deep serve is returned long. Murray wins the second set.

7.23pm BST

Second set: *Murray 5-7, 5-2 Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray is about to serve for the set when a huge gust of wind blows all the players' chairs onto the court. That one is definitely a let...

7.20pm BST

Second set: Murray 5-7, 5-2 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Second set: Murray 5-7, 5-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Strong returns from Murray and he races to 0-30. But Berdych isn't going to concede the set that easily. 15-30. And again Berdych hits strong, deep winners. In a hole in the second set, the Czech appears to be freed from his fears about the wind and hitting much more strongly. And more deep shots force the Murray mistake. 40-30. Great down the line return winner from Murray. Deuce...

7.17pm BST

Courtside

Our tennis correspondent, Kevin Mitchell, writes

Back from courtside, where, at ground level, just 20 feet from the play, it is pretty Windy - which happened to be the changeover music chosen by some USTA bright spark. (You've got to be my age to remember the Association).

It's a day to not lose a point rather than grab it and in such lottery conditions anxiety levels rise. Murray clearly, in my humble, should not have conceded that point when his hat came off because, for a start, the umpire didn't see it, and, second, Berdych reached the ball on the second bounce. He claimed the hat coming off put him off - like, this is at Flushing Meadows where people walk behind the server as if they are in their own living room. They call it "unintentional hindrance" and Murray checked with the Berd that it distracted him.

Anyway, on with the motley. Muzza's early break in the second has given him a good platform to bounce back. Just gone to 3-1. Murray finally hitting a consistent rhythm. He's got such an acute tennis brain.

Forgive me if you already know, but women's final is put back to tomorrow.

Also just heard the Tornado touched down about three miles away ....at Point Breeze. Seriously.

7.16pm BST

Second set: *Murray 5-7, 5-1 Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray hits wide as the wind blasts again. 0-15. Another shot goes wide and it's 0-30. Murray may have the double-break, but doesn't want to let Berdych back in here. Berdych comes to the net but is comprehensively beaten by a double-handed backhand pass down the line. 15-30. Good defence again by Murray and Berdych nets. 30-30. Murray's groundshots looking better here, driving Berdych back until the Czech makes the mistake. 40-30. And a winner down the line. Murray holds.

7.11pm BST

Mark Dobson emails:

Just wondering how Murray's demeanour is? Seems like a tough match. Hows he holding out?

Well, Murray seems to be benefitting from the influence of the Iceman Lendl these days. Not much chuntering, better body language. Of course, there's still a long way to go.

7.10pm BST

Second set: Murray 5-7, 4-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

...double-fault. Adv Murray. Berdych comes to the net, but his forehand clips the net and bounces out. Murray breaks.

7.08pm BST

Second set: Murray 5-7, 3-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Ball change. And a racket change by Murray too. Longish rally, with the players still obviously affected by the wind, ends with a rather tame Murray forehand into the net. 15-0. And a huge piece of paper is now floating across the court, leaving a shadow, and the ump stops the point mid-point. Let. Start again. Murray comes to the net and wins the point with a lovely little, soft-handed volley. 15-15. And now they stop for a plane flying overhead to nearby La Guardia. And then an astonishing point, Murray drop shot, Berdych amazingly gets to it forcing Murray to lob, a little short, but Berdych misses the smash. 15-30. Then a Murray cross-court floats wide. Bit of a shout of frustration from the Scotsman. 30-30. Double-fault. Challenge by Berdych. Out. Just. Fraction. 30-40. Break point. Ace. Murray challenges. In. Deuce...

7.01pm BST

Second set: *Murray 5-7, 3-1 Berdych (* denotes server)

Ace. Very strange ace though. Berdych is about to return and a combination of spin and wind takes it low and way away from him, making the Czech look perculiarly ungainly. 15-0. Berdych returns out. 30-0. Berdych goes down the line and misses. 40-0. A deep serve and Murray comes into the net to smash the winner...and misses. 40-15. Berdych comes to the net, but Murray flicks a lovely winner past him, cross-court. Murray holds.

Second set: Murray 5-7, 2-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Wind is up again and both players attempting some risk-free tennis, to counter the elements. Eventually Murray lobs it up and Berdych smashes the winner. 15-0. A long rally, ends with Murray forced wide and Berdych coming to the net for the volley winner. 30-0. A lovely cross-court forehand winner wrongfoots Murray. 40-0. A better return by Murray and Berdych nets. 40-15. Murray now wrongfoots Berdych with the forehand. 40-30. Big serve and Murray hits into the net.

6.52pm BST

Second set: *Murray 5-7, 2-0 Berdych (* denotes server)

Deep serve by Murray and Berdych flaps and flails and sends his return high and long. 15-0. A Murray forehand wrongfoots Berdych for the winner. 30-0. Berdych returns long. 40-0. And a cross-court winner. Murray holds to love.

6.50pm BST

Second set: Murray 5-7, 1-0 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Lovely, low return by Murray - possibly held up by the wind - brings Berdych to the net, where he nets. 0-15. Double-fault. 0-30. Berdych, by the way, is still wearing his hat, despite the wind and the earlier hat incident. Murray is hatless. And possibly cursing the hat incident - a big turning point in that first set. Incredible rally follows, with Murray scampering, full-stretch hitting a brilliant lob, deep, and following up with a clever, brave cross-court winner. 0-40. Three break points. A deep serve is returned wide. 15-40. The wind takes the ball away from Berdych again and he hits long. Break to Murray

6.43pm BST

First set: *Murray 5-7 Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray sees an opening, but hits wide. And shrieks. 0-15. The wind takes the ball away from Berdych as he sets himself down and he barely gets the racket on the ball. 15-15. Berdych smashes the winner from an attempted lob. 15-30. Berdych drives Murray into the corner and the Scotsman nets. 15-40. Two set points to the Czech. Berdych nets - his 19th unforced error (wind-assisted). 30-40. Berdych returns deep, comes to the net, hits a winner. Berdych breaks and wins the first set.

6.38pm BST

Thoughts about the hat incident:

Ravi Kalmady emails:

No clue how the rules book defines it (if there's any def at all) -- but anything that has to do with the players during the natural course of the game is NOT a distraction, I feel.

Stuff like this happens and is part of the game (like the wind). A distraction is, for instance, when a spectator throws an apple on to the court in the middle of play.

Very 'unsportsy' of Berdych.

Graham also emails:

Ola

A bit harder to find than I thought, but here you go ...

"USTA Comment 24.3: If a player’s hat falls off during a point, may the opponent stop play and claim a let? Yes. The opponent’s immediate request should be granted. A let should not be granted after the point nor should a request from the player who lost the hat."

Page 17 of Friend at Court (THE USTA HANDBOOK of TENNIS RULES and REGULATIONS), 2012 EDITION

First set: Murray 5-6 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Berdych rallying well from the baseline, employing lots of those inside-out, run-around forehands. 30-0. And Murray gives his racket a bit of a kick. Then Berdych makes another unforced error - to be fair, a lot of them wind-affected. 30-15. Murray bunts long. 40-15. Murray hits long. Berdych holds and Murray will need to serve to stay in the set.

6.31pm BST

First set: *Murray 5-5 Berdych (* denotes server)

Another big game. Two-handed backhand down the line by Berdych is too strong for Murray. 0-15. And then Murray is drawn to the net and again nets. 0-30. Ace. Good response. 15-30. Berdych is drawn to the net, but a good, low forehand by Murray forces him to play the shot at a stretch and it goes long. 30-30. Another rally and Berdych makes the unforced error into the net. 40-30. And a deep serve is too good, Berdych's return floats long. Murray holds.

First set: Murray 4-5 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Nice Czech winner. 15-0. Berdych stays back again and hits another forehand cross-court winner. 30-0. News that the women's final has been postponed until tomorrow. More on that soon. Another rally and Berdych finally hits another winner. After review. 40-0. Double-fault. 40-15. A long rally, with Berdych on top, but when he comes to the net his volley spins wide. 40-30. Berdych smashes the winner to hold.

6.22pm BST

First set: *Murray 4-4 Berdych (* denotes server)

...strong serve sees Berdych return long. Adv Murray. Murray comes to the net, his drop shot, spins, but Berdych gets to it and returns, Murray throws up his racket instinctively and is relieved to see a winner. Murray holds.

6.20pm BST

First set: *Murray 3-4 Berdych (* denotes server)

Big game for Murray, serving into the wind again. Berdych returns wide. 15-0. And again. 30-0. When the wind drops these two are playing some lovely rallies, with deep baseline hits. When the wind gets back up again they are playing shorter, choppier shots and just aiming to get it in. Murray nets one of those chopping shots. 30-15. And then Berdych moves the Scotsman wide and Murray's reply goes wide. 30-30. Ace. 40-30. Long rally ends with Murray hitting long. Deuce....

6.14pm BST

First set: Murray 3-4 *Berdych (* denotes server)

...Big serve and Murray nets the return. Adv Berdych. Another big serve and Berdych charges to the net, but goes for a big, swinging volley...and blasts it into the net. Deuce #2. Murray's forehand is late, from a short swing after a gust moves the ball, and nets. Adv Berdych. Berdych moves Murray around and the Scot nets. Game to Berdych. Big hold.

6.11pm BST

First set: Murray 3-3 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Interesting stat: all four service games so far played with the wind behind the server have been won. The two played against the wind have been lost. Berdych to serve into the wind. A good winner by Murray, 0-15. Next point sees some drop shots with the ball floating around horribly. Berdych gets to the net for the winner. 15-15. Murray tries a floated return and, not surprisingly given the conditions, floats wide. 30-15. Will Berdych be the first man to hold serving into the wind? Berdych comes to the net but his half-volley clips the net and goes wide. 30-30. A longish rally and Murray nets. Murray has a bit of a shout to himself. 40-30. Huge gusts of wind and Berdych again delaying his serve. Long rally until Berdych hits long. Deuce...

6.07pm BST

First set: *Murray 3-3 Berdych (* denotes server)

...Murray putting some effort into his forehand, forces Berdych to net. Adv Murray. And then a lovely down-the-line forehand and Murray holds.

6.05pm BST

First set: *Murray 2-3 Berdych (* denotes server)

A purposeful Murray quickly claims the first two points. 30-0. Then Berdych rallies into a long rally. Both players mostly just aiming to keep the ball in play, but finally Murray balloons a forehand out. 30-15. Double fault (his second). 30-30. It is very windy out there and there's clearly some adjustment needed on service tosses. Murray drives Berdych wide and, off-balance, the Czech hits wide. 40-30. Berdych plays it safe until Murray makes the mistake. Deuce...

6.01pm BST

Hat debate:

Aislinn O'Connell (@AislinnOC)

@busfield Can you explain the rules of the hat falling off? What happened there?

The hat blowing off seemed to have been deemed a factor. Actually, it didn't look like Berdych could've reached the ball, but claimed that it was offputting. Anyone got a link to an exact description of the rules? You can send it - or other thoughts - to me via email to steve.busfield@guardiannews.com or via Twitter to @Busfield.

6.00pm BST

Where are you watching/reading?

Mark Tran (@marktran)

@busfield Sports in Visby, Sweden is showing football tonight so I'll be relying on you. Lendl will show Murray how to tame Berdych

First set: Murray 2-3 *Berdych (* denotes server)

The wind is playing havoc with Berdych's serve toss. Big forehand by Berdych forces Murray to net. 15-0. Murray now hatless, by the way. Murray nets again. 30-0. And then a Murray lob goes long. 40-0. And a big serve is too hard for Murray to handle

5.56pm BST

First set: *Murray 2-2 Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray gives a grumpy look at some fans still settling themselves down at the end of the break. Ump tells them not to move around. Murray nets at the end of a short rally. 0-15. A big Murray serve is ballooned wide by Berdych. 15-15. Another long-ish rally, featuring lots of Berdych cross-court forehands followed by a change to down the line, ends with Murray netting rather tamely. 15-30. And then the opposite. 30-30. Nine unforced errors already by Berdych. Just three from Murray. Murray showing lots of patience and trying to draw Berdych to the net. But, having achieved that, Murray hits wide. 30-40. Break point. Murray comes to the net and a little drop shot wins the point. But Murray's hat blew off at the crucial moment. Berdych wants the point replayed. Murray is asking if Berdych is 100% sure the hat was a factor. The umpire called deuce. But the point will be replayed after Murray agrees to it. A long rally follows, which eventually ends with Murray lobbling long. Break to Berdych. Murray now angry about that replayed point.

First set: Murray 2-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

15th point of the game: Berdych playing lots of inside-out cross-court forehands, and then tries to go down the line and misses. Adv Murray. Another break point. And then a stop-shot return by Murray confuses Berdych just a fraction - enough for him to hit long/wide. Break to Murray

5.46pm BST

First set: Murray 1-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

A long rally and Murray nets. Adv Berdych. Berdych comes to the net and has to deal with another fabulous low shot from Murray. Berdych has to reach and his forehand plops wide. Deuce. Murray nets again. Adv Berdych. Double fault. Deuce. Murray attempts to attack the second serve but it goes wide. Adv Berdych. Murray steps forward to attack the second serve, moves Berdych this way and that until the number six seed makes the mistake. Deuce #4. Murray comes to the net at the end of a long rally, Berdych attempts the passing shot but it hits the (net)post. Adv Murray. Murray comes to the net but Berdych passes nightly. Deuce #5...

5.39pm BST

First set: Murray 1-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Good return from Murray leads to the Berdych error. 0-15. Murray keeps on chipping, trying to encourage the Czech to come to the net, but Berdych doesn't bite and eventually finds the winner. 15-15. Berdych looking the more discomfited of the two by the wind. He nets. 15-30. A nice winner by Berdych. 30-30. Lots of throwing the ball up to serve but not serving by Berdych. When he does serve, Murray again moves him around until the Czech nets. 30-40. Break point. Great low retrieval shot as Berdych comes to the net, but a lovely, delicate volley wins the Czech the point. Deuce....

5.34pm BST

First set: *Murray 1-1 Berdych (* denotes server)

The stadium is only half-full - lots of New Yorkers waiting for the rain to stop clearly. Double fault. 0-15. Then Berdych returns wide. 15-15. Ace. 30-15. A baseline rally follows, Murray moving Berdych around until the Czech finally nets. 40-15. Another baseline rally ends with Murray rather disappointingly hitting into the net. The winde not helping here though. 40-30. An intriguing rally where Murray and Berdych both come to the net following up little dropshots, until Berdych flicks up and Murray smashes the winner. Game to Murray

5.29pm BST

First set: Murray 0-1 *Berdych (* denotes server)

Murray won the toss and elected to let Berdych deal with the gusty conditions first. Berdych comes to the net and volleys into it. 0-15. A rather pedestrian rally ends with Murray netting. 15-15. And again. 30-15. Another rally sees Berdych cautiously approach the net, forcing Murray wide and he nets. 40-15. And then a let - triggered by the wind says the umpire. A wind beep. Berdych moves Murray around and finds the winner. Game

5.25pm BST

And here we go...

Berdych to serve first

5.23pm BST

Knocking up

The players are on court and knocking up. Berdych is in a blue t-shirt. Murray in white shirt and white cap. The wind is gusting, which could make conditions tricky.

5.18pm BST

A tweet:

Cosmo Montagu (@CosmoMontagu)

@busfield Finally Murray is going to get underway... its the only thing that has made returning from holiday today bearable!

Following live!

Margaret Smith emails to ask where she can watch the game? In the States - where I am - it's on CBS. Is it on the TV in England? And elsewhere? Obviously, I hope you will all be following along with us here...

5.15pm BST

Soon...

So, looking good for the tennis to start very soon. Remember, you can share your thoughts, hopes, fears, predictions etc with me via email to steve.busfield@guardiannews.com or via Twitter to @Busfield.

5.14pm BST

David Nelson emails:

If Murray does win it, but doesn't beat Djokovich in the final...

Will anyone count it as being really a Slam?

I would, but then I'm biased...

Don't be daft, David, of course it would count. There's a couple of big Ifs in there though.

5.11pm BST

Predictions

This tweet:

Hasta Siempre (@988YSR)

@busfield Murray has to get a good start. Berdych's a momentum player and if he gets off to a flyer, his power will overwhelm Muzzah #USOpen

And, I guess, it's time for me to put my head on the block. Murray in five. But if Djokovic reaches the final then that will be a huge mountain to climb. Djokovic was immense in his quarter-final. Del Potro played absolutely brilliantly - and didn't win a set. Even when they spent 84 minutes battling for the second set.

5.03pm BST

A tweet:

Miss S-F (@missscottfraser)

@busfield Stuck on a train to London with 2 hours to go. Is it selfish of me to wish for semi to be delayed until I get home? #murraymad

NYC sure does have weather. But, sunny in Flushing for now. Fingers crossed.

4.51pm BST

Stopped raining

It's stopped raining in Flushing. Indeed, the sun is shining. There are lots of people milling around and drying the court. No guarantee of play - but much more optimistic.

4.49pm BST

Super!

Kevin Mitchell writes again:

Americans will know this is Super Saturday, part of the hard sell by CBS that results in a crazy log jam of matches on the final weekend.

As the always excellent daily tournament notes remind us, in 1984 we had a real Super Saturday, or as they describe it: Perhaps the single greatest day in tennis history.

"...each of the four matches played on stadium court extends to the maximum number of sets: Stan Smith defeats John Newcombe in the men’s 35s semifinal, Ivan Lendl defeats Pat Cash, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, 7-6, in the men’s semifinals, Martina Navratilova defeats Chris Evert, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, for the women’s title and John McEnroe defeats Jimmy Connors, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, in the second men’s semifinal. Play begins at 11:07 a.m. and doesn’t conclude until 11:16 p.m."

Tornado warning?!

Kevin Mitchell at Flushing writes:

Dig this: the BBC and other broadcasters in the upper floors of the main stand have been told to evacuate because of a tornado warning. Wondered why my old cricketing chum Ali Eakin, who doubles up on tennis and rugby for the Beeb, wandered in for a chat in the print-press seats on the ground floor. Fans have been told to take cover around the site too until the threat passes. What next: pestilence?

Weird. Not least because it's actually now sunny and hot just a few miles away in Brooklyn.

4.36pm BST

Action

There are men in white wet-weather suits brushing water off the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

4.35pm BST

Scheduling

Because of the way the US Open is scheduled, they play three of the biggest games on Super Saturday: two men's semi-finals and the women's final. That's a lot of tennis to fit into one day. Especially when bad weather is distinctly possible. An 11am start was arranged in order to fit in those matches. The USTA needs to fit in at least the two men's semi-finals. If they manage that there could well be a Super Sunday, featuring both singles finals. Too much rain today and they may well switch a match to the second court - ground entrance tickets would, I think, get you into that, so if you happen to be in the NY area - and optimistic about the weather - might be worth thinking about getting down to Flushing. Will let you know if a match switches courts.

While the rain pours in Flushing Meadows, have you seen what's going on at (what I believe the kids are calling The Potteries Flushing Meadows) Vale Park?

4-1 up against high flying Rotherham at half time. Bet you'd take Burslem over Queens any day?

4-2 now. Come on the Vale!

4.21pm BST

Weather updates

We will be giving weather updates here - it's raining in Flushing but it's now sunny in Brooklyn which gives us some hope. You can also get updates on when the match will start via our Twitter feed @GdnUSsports.

4.17pm BST

Jon Lee emails:

It's my mom's birthday dinner here in Hong Kong so I'm counting on you guys for updates. Murray in 4!

Happy Birthday, Mrs Lee. Apologies that we only have weather updates for the moment...

4.15pm BST

Flushing update

Our man at Flushing Meadows, Kevin Mitchell, writes:

The talk in the media room is that they will have to move one of the men's semis to Armstrong - the court of death and near-death for Muzza - and it won't be the defending champion they take off Ashe.

This is the last year of the rammed fixture list though; next year they are going to spread the matches more evenly so we don't get a log jam - and a Monday final.

4.08pm BST

Prediction

Weather update

It's raining in Flushing. No play yet. But we are optimistic that there will be play. It's stopped raining in Brooklyn, just a few miles away. We will give you updates on the weather - and what the USTA officials are saying about it.

3.47pm BST

Preamble

It's Super Saturday at the US Open: two men's semi-finals and the women's final. Andy Murray vs Tomas Berdych, Novak Djokovic vs David Ferrer, Victoria Azarenka vs Serena Williams. It should be a classic day of tennis. We will be liveblogging it all.

Just one small problem: the weather. The US Open has been dogged by bad weather in recent years, with the men's final frequently held over until Monday. And it's been raining in NYC this morning - although it's easing off now. We're optimistic that there will be plenty of action. Soon.

First up, Andy Murray [3] vs Tomas Berdych [6]. There are some that hope that Murray's path to the final - and another shot at that elusive first Grand Slam title - was eased by Berdych's quarter-final defeat of Roger Federer. Perhaps it was. But not by much. Berdych has won four of the six meetings between the pair.

"I know the guy who is responsible for the success of Czech tennis [Miroslav Cernosek], who manages him. I go to their centre in Projektov in the Czech Republic. They have courts, fitness, massages, rehab and I love being there, so I've followed him for quite a bit now – and he's getting better. I talk to him in the locker room, Andy played him in Monte Carlo."

Berdych won that match - on clay - and also their French Open meeting - again on clay. So, good for the Scot that this isn't on clay.

Djokovic puts the semi-finals into perspective:

"You have Murray, Berdych, Ferrer, myself, we're all top 10 players. Maybe for some people it was surprising to see Roger lose because he's been so consistent and dominant in the last couple of years. He's always expected to get to at least the semi-finals of every grand slam. But look, Berdych deserved to win. He came up with incredible tennis. I have never seen him play that well. This is tennis."

It should be a great day of tennis. Join myself (now) and Martin Pengelly (later) for all the action.